2. Making decisions

More discussion

I still feel we need to discuss … a little more.

I think we should have more information on …

I would like to look more closely at …

I still can’t agree to …

Referring to time

We’re running out of time.

We don’t have any more time to spend on this.

We are almost out of time.

We are really behind schedule.

Closing the discussion

I’m afraid that I’ll have to bring this point to a close.

I think we’ve discussed everything.

I don’t think there is any more to be said.

Focusing

I really would like a decision on this.

Can we try and come to a decision mow?

Are we ready to take a decision?

Establishing consensus

Can we agree to …?

Does everyone agree that we …?

Can I take it that everyone is now happy with the decision?

Well, it seems that we are all agreed that …

Voting

Can we have a quick show of hands?

All in favour? Those against?

The proposal is carried.

The proposal is rejected.

Confirming

So, we are going to …

Right, we have decided to …

Just to confirm, we will …

Deferring

I think we will have to leave this until the next meeting.

Regarding …, e\we don’t have enough information about this.

We need more information on …

Moving on

Great, now can we move on to …?

Right, now we should turn to …

Let’s come on to …

2. Closing a meeting

! Closing a meeting

Say that the agenda is finished.

Check no-one has anything more to say.

Summarize the meeting: objectives and results.

Ask if all understand and agree with the results.

Confirm new responsibilities from the meeting.

Fix a date for the next meeting.

Thank people for coming.

Close.

Completing the agenda

I think we’ve covered everything.

OK. That’s everything on the agenda.

Is there anything else to discuss?

Summarizing

Before we close, I should summarize the main points.

We discussed … items.

So, our … [first / second] objective was to …

To sum up, we have decided to …

Delaying decisions

We’ll leave this to a later date.

We need more time to make a decision on this.

We’ll discuss this at our next meeting.

Everything is clear

OK, is that clear?

Does everyone agree?

Any final questions?

Final questions

Can I check just one thing?

One final question …

Did we agree to …?

Confirm new responsibilities

So, what’s the next step?

Bob, could you let us have a report on …?

Martha will look into the question of …

Jack, you’;; let us have a copy of the minutes?

You should have a copy of the minutes by ...

Next meeting

Can we fix a time for our next meeting?

Is June 28^th convenient as a date for another meeting?

I’ll confirm the date and venue by next week.

Closing the meeting

Thank you for coming and for your contributions.

It was a pleasure to see you all today.

OK. We can finish there.

Let’s call it a day. [Informal]

I declare this meeting closed. [Formal]

!Meetings tip: what kind of meeting?

Useful – Useless

Constructive – A waste of time

Productive – Unproductive

Stimulating – Boring

Helpful – Pointless

Fruitful – Inefficient

2. Problem-solving meetings

What is the problem?

We are facing a problem with …

We need to look at the question of …

On this meeting I would like to raise the problem of …

We must confront the problem regarding …

A problem with … has arisen.

Cause

The problem was caused by …

The problem resulted from …

Te problem was a result of …

It was due to …

Problem:

• Communication

• Financial management

• Time

• Technical manpower

• Major

• Minor

• Serious

• Massive

• A bit of a

• Perennial

• Enormous

• Little

Brainstorming → “How can we solve this problem?”

Troubleshooting → “We can solve this problem by …”

Handling problems – key terms

To solve – To find a solution to

To deal with – To tackle …a problem

To overcome – To get round

To avoid – To prevent

Time

On time:

We finished the project on time. = according to the schedule

In time:

He arrived at the meeting in time to have a coffee before the formal start. = with enough time

Schedule

We’re on schedule.

We’re ahead of schedule. (early)

We’re behind schedule. (late)

Deadlines

To meet a deadline good

To respect a deadline

To go over a deadline bad

To miss a deadline

To delay →

To postpone LATER

To put off

←

EARLIER To bring forward

Solving problems – action plan verbs

To change – to develop – to adjust – to improve – to increase – to reduce – to review – to monitor – to reschedule – to remove – to add – to refuse – to accept

Future problems?

I don’t anticipate any problems with …

… shouldn’t create a problem.

… won’t cause any difficulties.

… may lead to a few problems.